The operator and WST, the commercial entity for professional snooker events, renewed its partnership on the final day of the 2020 tournament, and extended a title sponsorship Betfred has held since 2009.
The latest edition of snooker’s flagship tournament was won by Ronnie O’Sullivan for a sixth time after he beat Kyren Wlson 18-8 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, with around 300 spectators in attendance as part of a government trial.
Betfred co-founder and CEO Fred Done, said: “I’m delighted to extend my association with the World Snooker Championship and I would like to take this opportunity to thank WST, the Crucible, BBC, Eurosport and especially the players for putting this event on in such challenging times.”
Betfred has also donated £25,000 ($32,773) to the Jessie May Children’s Hospice at Home, WST’s official charity. Before the tournament, the operator pledged £200 for every century break, rounding up the total to £25,000 if 80 were made.
Even though the final count was 79 after O’Sullivan’s 96 in the last frame of the final, Befred decided to count it as a century to trigger the £25,000 donation.
WST chairman Barry Hearn said: “This is an amazing gesture from Betfred and I know just how much this will mean to the Jessie May team at a time when they have been forced to reduce their fund-raising activity. Our gratitude goes to Betfred.”
